Arastus, God of the Righteous CrownDOMAIN: Virtue, nobility
ALLIGNMENT: Lawful Good
FOLLOWERS: Members of the human clergy, human nobles, hopeful peasants who believe he will reward them in the afterlife for accepting their position.
VIRTUES: Prudence, justice, temperance, courage, honesty, deference to one's betters.
SINS: Failure to act when you may do good; Failure to live up to the four virtues; Failure to defer to the crown and clergy.

Eveltia, Goddess of the Eternal ChurchDOMAIN: Love, mercy, faith
ALLIGNMENT: Lawful Good
FOLLOWERS: Lower-class humans who look to her as an interceding force in the heavens and a deliverer of mercy. Lower-class members of the human clergy as well.
VIRTUES: Chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, humility.
SINS: Exploitation, hatred, cruelty.

Temestrus, God of Fate, Weaver of TimeDOMAIN: Fate, pre-destination, time, endings.
ALLIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral
FOLLOWERS: Nihilists, the hopeless, certain clergymen of all 'civilized' races.
VIRTUES: Acceptance, disattachment from worldly affairs, meditation on the mysteries of fate.
SINS: Holding enough hubris to think you can change that which has been written by the gods.

The Realms of the Elves
The Elves were once united, but following a long, bloody war with the Drow, the realms split in half and were left entirely disunited. Where once there was a united Elven union, there are now two states: The first, the aristocratic, isolationist Noblelands, who fear drawing the attention of the other realms and incurring the envy or wrath of non-elven kingdoms, fully aware that they are not at all prepared for another war. The second, the enterprising Elven Commonwealth, a trade republic that believes that the only way to avert another crisis is to maintain good relations and open exchange of ideas with other races. The two governments are on hostile ground, each of them entirely certain that the other is leading the Elven populace to destruction. The Elven people, on the other hand, hardly recognize the two states, and freely move back and forth between their loosely guarded borders.

The Kingdom of Dwarves
The only truly united race, the Dwarven people are industrious and formidable. Few are foolish enough to approach their island fortress with the banner of war raised. Those few who have been foolhardy enough to attempt an invasion found their vast hordes leveled by well-disciplined volleys of Dwarven crossbows and ballistas. The island has grown even more impenetrable in recent years, as the Dwarves have successfully wrought weapons of fire and steel from the depths of their mountain fortress. Their new artillery emplacements have yet to have their teeth cut in the heat of battle, but the aging High King seems confident in them - one can only hope that his intuition serves him well.

The Realms of Man
Though one might take a look at the world map and immediately call humanity a squabbling, disunited bunch, one cannot overstate the progress they've made. Three centuries ago the 'kingdoms' of man were little more than warring tribes. This remained the case until the warlord Caledan swept across the continent, decimating his scattered peers and leaving only Kwestantinas and the Tribes of the West unconquered before his untimely death.

Though recent scholarship has called into question the greatness of Caledan himself, his impact on human society can hardly be overstated. With his conquest came the spread of the Caledonian Church of Two's clergy, and it has been theorized that without Caledan's conquests humanity would have taken centuries longer to get to where it is now.

This journey will begin in a kingdom of man, the Sacred Federal Empire of Free Ulstugonian Princes. The hold of the Church in Caledonia is strong here, and as such, magic is strongly discouraged, though true persecution only comes on rare occasions. The same is true (though to a much lighter degree) of those who publicly act against the morality of the church, those who worship gods that are more than one alignment step away from the lawful good gods of the church, and those who worship no gods at all.

Any and all other historical details will be given out dependent on character background and knowledge rolls. Feel free to PM me if you have questions OOC on these things while creating your character.

Applications

Character Name:
Race:
Starting class:
Country of Origin: (Feel free to ask me for help on this one, I've intentionally limited the amount of information on countries for the sake of worldbuilding but I'm happy to explain some stuff during character creation.)Appearance:
Allignment:
Primary God:
Backstory:
Other details (optional):

Only core races and their various archetypes are allowed. Core, base, and hybrid classes are allowed; no alternate classes.

Newbies are totally free to apply. most info on class and race can be found here, along with a bunch of the rules. If you're new and it's all a little overwhelming, feel free to PM me if you have any questions at all.

(03-18-2016 12:04 PM)MQuinny1234 Wrote: Johnnus winced, glancing at the hand that slapped him. "I'd appreciate you refraining from touching me. Nothing personal, but I took a vow." Maybe a little personal but he was serious.

"As for ruins?..."

[Knowledge roll?]

You are aware that during Caledan the Conqueror's first campaign in Ceol, a settlement was built on a nearby hill. Legend has it that on an autumn night, when the harvest moon hung red in the sky, a band of native Ceolites raided the city, burnt it to the ground, and spread the flayed flesh of the colonists across the walls. This would all be more or less unremarkable for the times, and for men - perhaps even false - and the story likely would have died in the banality of the old times, were it not for two facts: First, the military commander posted at the settlement was said to have been a paladin who was stockpiling strongly blessed weapons for Caledan's next crusades. Second, the Ceolites who perpetrated the acts were supposedly followers of Kaefka, a rarity among all nations and races. This has lead many to believe that the store of weapons might still be down there, though few have had the time or energy to trudge to the ass-end of Ceol chasing after some likely-mythical weapons. After all, actual adventures in this part of the kingdom are rare, and the mercenary hordes of wanderers tend to prefer the steady stream of gold that comes from participating in wars between the various Ceolite factions.

"There is an old settlement nearby I believe. Led by a paladin, lost to those who follow Kaefka whom torched and pillaged the area. There are some rumours that the paladin leader was collecting magic weapons for Caledan's early campaigns. It's possible there could still be something there. If nothing else, we could discover some information of the site that could be valuable to someone." Johnus said slowly, thinking over whether this information was worth following.

“One day you wake up and realize the world can be conquered.” - Doctor Impossible

"Ahh, good! This sounds like good place to learn of old strength of east. Mmm. Maybe show spirit-blessed weapons to tribe, if still there. If not... Well, will see then," Sa'rokh says, seeming pleased.

"On one hand, it's been there a long time. On the other, I doubt recent times have had many, competent, explorers of the ruins, and I do feel that if someone at some point had found a stockpile of magic weapons, that would have been mentioned in the legend."

“One day you wake up and realize the world can be conquered.” - Doctor Impossible

"Hah, is no curse to fear! We will go take a look at ruins, maybe set off tomorrow on great adventure, see what we can find!" Sa'rokh says, making a sweeping gesture as if to encompass all that they would come to see.

"But first, another drink and a warm place to sleep!" He says, heading off to the bar. With all the time he'd spent traveling lately, it'd been far too long since he'd gotten proper drunk. It was past time he did something about that.

The town's inn is fairly warm and cozy, with a gentle fire rumbling in the hearth and the sound of low, friendly chatter rumbling through the room. It has a tavern all its own, a testament to the eternal popularity of ale, even in this fairly small town.

Sa'rokh is greeted at the bar by a kind looking woman of middle-age. "Welcome to the Red Roost, love," she says. "What'll you be havin' today?"

Rayo and Johnus are met on the other side of the room by an older man handling the registration side of things. He speaks to them in a dry, creaky voice: "How can I help you lads?"

The barkeep smiles and nods. "Very fine choice! Hope you lot can hold your liquor, because this one's a real head-twister. Local family runs a little distillery out o' their cellar. Nothin' much yet, but they're a mite bit talented! Think you'll find it'll hit you hard as a Northman's battleaxe." She pours two pints of the stuff. Merely smelling it puts Diego's hair on end, though Barakh hardly has any issue with it, being familiar with brew fermented in much, much worse places.

[FORTITUDE SAVE. Diego: 6, Barakh: 21]

"A night, y'say? If you're lookin for our plainest room, just a bed with a pillow and a blanket, that'll be 5 silver from each o' ye. If you want any amenities, it'll cost you a tad bit more. Would you like a bath? No offense intended, but you folk seem like you've been on the road quite some time."

Johnus scowled harder. Dwarves were good at scowling and he was pretty good for a dwarf. He handled his lone gold piece in his pocket, debating between keeping his appearance up, or saving precious funds. Sighing, he handed the gold piece over. "I'll be having a bath." he said gruffly. Maybe he could get up early and make some quick money tomorrow. He didn't really want Rayo or his other workmates to find out exactly how badly he was doing cash-wise.

“One day you wake up and realize the world can be conquered.” - Doctor Impossible

(06-06-2016 08:50 AM)MQuinny1234 Wrote: Johnus scowled harder. Dwarves were good at scowling and he was pretty good for a dwarf. He handled his lone gold piece in his pocket, debating between keeping his appearance up, or saving precious funds. Sighing, he handed the gold piece over. "I'll be having a bath." he said gruffly. Maybe he could get up early and make some quick money tomorrow. He didn't really want Rayo or his other workmates to find out exactly how badly he was doing cash-wise.

(06-06-2016 10:10 AM)Demonsul Wrote: Rayo was also frowning, though he couldn't match up to a honest-to-god Dwarven scowl. "And I suppose you'll be charging full price for breakfast as well? What would these surcharges amount to?"

The barkeep frowns deeply at both of you. "We don't serve breakfast, youngster. Only lunch and dinner. And yes, we do charge with both. Is that an issue?"

[Intimidate checks - Rayo 11, Johnus 13]

(06-07-2016 03:05 AM)Palamedes Wrote: Diego pays the barkeep with a smile, gives himself a couple of seconds to prepare himself, and then takes a swig of the brew.

"Whew, that's a fitting comparison. My compliments to them."

He continues drinking - slowly - and begins talking with the locals, listening to any interesting banter nearby.

(06-07-2016 05:58 AM)chimericWilder Wrote: With a grin, Sa'rokh lifts his mug in a toast, before tipping it back and downing a generous portion of its contents.

"Hahah! Is good. Very different from ale back home, but good!" He comments.

Soon enough, he's finishing the first mug and paying for another.

Even slow drinking is enough to make you a bit woozy. This stuff is stronger than anything they had in Ulstugonia. Sa'rokh is made of sturdier stuff, but with the rate at which he's drinking, he's soon seeing some blurs as well.

A group of local drunks invite the two of you over for a round of song and drinks, courtesy of them. Ceolite hospitality at its finest!

The grim dwarf breathed in deeply, and let it out calmly, eyes momentarily closed. His scowl gone, he said, in a more level tone. "Of course not, sorry. Money is a little tight on our end, and we're about to go out on an expedition tomorrow, so nerves are a little frayed. Shouldn't take it out upon you." He looked around the room briefly. Directing a thumb at Sa'rokh and Diego he continued. "We're actually with them over there. Going adventuring. The big guy I imagine is going to be needing a hangover cure in the morning, and something to fill his stomach for the day ahead, that's why we were asking about breakfast."

He leaned forward towards the old man. "If you'd even allow me to make something for our group tomorrow morning, it would be a big help for us. I've worked in taverns before, and this seems like a good one, perhaps a spare hand for tonight and the morning would be useful? I'd not be doing anything of importance anyway til we leave and be happy to help out til then, in exchange for a bit of lenience and companionable good-heartedness our way also."

[[Profession inn-keeper check if I can to show I actually know what I'm talking when offering to be useful and/or to lower the price? Profession cook too for the morning or if help is needed in the kitchen]]

“One day you wake up and realize the world can be conquered.” - Doctor Impossible

It really was rather odd how quick these easterners were to welcome a group of complete strangers. He supposed that was what inns were for and all, but it was still a strange custom.

Even so, he gladly accepts the mens' invitation, joining them at their table and adding his voice to the chorus of whatever song they were singing.

Still, this wasnt quite like the revelry he shared with his brothers back home, and as the next round of drinks come and go he pays careful attention to their manner and characteristics. If nothing else, he'd learn something of the people of this region.

For Diego, these people were his countrymen, and he felt a bit more comfortable. He still didn't want to delay the adventure any longer than possible and so kept to more controlled drinking, but readily shared in the merrymaking - hopefully he could have a good time and learn a bit more as he did so.

"Hmmmm," the man says, sizing you up. "Aye, I suppose we could always use some more help. Ever since that foreignborn lady swept through and bewitched all of the lads of the town to follow her, a set of hands has been hard to come by. Tell you what: You clean up all of your companions rooms, you've got free reign of the kitchen for breakfast tomorrow and I'll take it down to two silver each. A fair deal if I've ever heard one, eh?"

[25 on profession!]

SA'ROKH AND DIEGO

The men seem to be of a fine, honest sort. You detect no ill will behind their words. During your talks, you find out that they belong to a nearby adventurer's guild, and that they intend to do some scouting around the area soon. They happily invite you to join them and split the spoils, not shying away from challenges of your courage as they do so. Diego - already intoxicated - is inclined towards joining, but has his wits enough about him that he can still be brought to his senses. Sa'rokh, on the other hand, has not had his judgement impaired and can choose either way.

The innkeeper accepts your offer. You wake up the next morning and find that your companions never checked into their rooms.

DIEGO AND SA'ROKH

You wake up the next morning completely hungover and lying in the middle of a field. Your equipment is still on you, but you smell vaguely of boiled cabbage and your pockets are stuffed with a variety of cheeses. Sa'rokh's beard has been shaved, leaving him only with mutton chops.

"Dont remember any one thing!" Sa'rokh replies with surprising enthusiasm, though he briefly makes a grimace as he squints against the morning light. "Headache sign of great night of enjoyment, though! Is good."

Sa'rokh briefly looks about for signs of tracks left over from the previous night, though he'll follow Diego back to town if their relative location is immediately obvious. [Survival]

Johnus looks around the empty rooms. He was sort of annoyed he'd gone to the trouble of including them for nothing, partly worried that they'd vanished entirely, and slightly relieved he didn't have to bother with much more than a cursory clean of their rooms. Once he's finished being useful with the cleaning tools, he'll crack his knuckles and get to work on breakfast for himself and Rayo. Whilst he's doing this all, he'll keep an ear and eye out on the other patrons' going-ons and conversation topics.

“One day you wake up and realize the world can be conquered.” - Doctor Impossible